Why are you running for the school board?
I come from six generations of Indiana public school teachers. I want to continue that legacy, and use the skills I’ve developed in my career to serve the schools where my daughters have thrived. I will ensure Carmel remains a beacon of excellence where all children can find success.
What is your vision for the future of our school district?
CCS offered my daughters a spectacular education and supportive learning environments. I want to build on that success, to guarantee that every child in Carmel has the opportunity to thrive in our schools, and succeed when they graduate and make their own way in today’s diverse globalized community.
What do you believe are the most critical issues facing our schools today?
The first most critical issue is ensuring the responsible use of taxpayer funds. Second, is providing critical funding for school safety. Third, is parental engagement. I intend to make parental engagement even easier by working to establish a parent liaison “hotline”– called “CCS 411”.
What experience do you have that prepares you for this role?
I am an equity owner of my law firm (Bose McKinney & Evans LLP), a former teacher, and a certified public policy mediator, with 25+ years’ experience analyzing government budgets. I have deep familiarity with and appreciation for our schools and teachers, cultivated through ten years’ service on PTO Executive Boards and four years’ service on the Carmel Education Foundation’s Executive Board.
How will you ensure that the voices of parents, teachers, and students are heard in board decisions?
I would like the CCS Board to establish a committee of parents, teachers, and students as well as alumni and members of the broader community to help foster strong relationships and open lines of communication between all of the different groups of people who are invested in our schools. The committee could, for example, give feedback on proposed district initiatives and offer their advice about areas where new initiatives might be beneficial.
What are your priorities for the school district’s budget?
Our educators are our district’s most valuable resource. We must offer them competitive salaries (enough for them to live comfortably in Carmel, should they choose), excellent benefits, and, importantly, the respect they deserve. We should also prioritize hiring more substitutes and Instructional Assistants for classroom-level support.
How would you ensure that the district is prepared for future challenges, such as growth or changes in educational standards?
CCS’s ability to navigate challenges in the future will depend on how the Board sets the district’s budget now. Developing a strategic and forward-looking budget involves prioritizing areas of growth and innovation; investing in ongoing training for educators to keep them updated on the latest standards; and ensuring that buildings are designed for flexibility and future needs. By proactively addressing these areas, a school district can create a resilient and adaptable educational environment that meets the evolving needs of its students and community.
What else would you like voters to know about your candidacy?
As an 18-year Carmel resident, I have watched our schools make our community a better place to live. As a CCS parent, PTO board member, and Carmel Education Foundation Vice President, I know our schools provide a world-class education and knit our neighborhoods together across all our differences, to make Carmel a place people want to call home. This level of excellence demands leaders who know the schools well, who understand their challenges and their resources, who know what it’s like to lead a classroom and respect the expertise of those who do it, who can handle multi-million-dollar budgets, and who know how truly valuable public education is. My life, career, and experience have uniquely prepared me to serve on the CCS Board, and I feel blessed to be endorsed and supported by so many people–including the Carmel Teachers’ Association and former Mayor Jim Brainard–who recognize that.
How can voters contact you or learn more about your campaign?
Voters can find out more about me at www.wheelerforccs.com, as well as find links there to my campaign’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.